The need for special research projects and individual stock assessments is detailed by the South East Fishery Assessment Group (SEFAG) and endorsed by SETMAC. The development of stock assessments for blue grenadier, and ling are high priority. Other species with high priority for quality stock assessment include blue warehou, redfish, blue-eye trevalla, and (following SETMAC 55) tiger flathead.
Blue grenadier is a species for which new data have become (or are becoming) available and for which there is a conflict between the relatively optimistic scientific advice (based primarily on an acoustic and an egg production estimate) and the more pessimistic view of several industry representatives. The stock assessment for this species will be accorded first priority. The other two species to be assessed wil be determined based on discussions with SETMAC, its research sub-committee and AFMA.